Alabama’s sideline tent
CBS Sports Minute – Jan. 11
Boomer explains how Alabama is poised to revolutionize sports medicine at live events.
Drum majors of UA’s Million Dollar Band are the ‘quarterbacks’ of the musical institution
Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 9
Whether marching in full voice or poised silently to rip into its next number, the University of Alabama’s legendary Million Dollar Band is hard to miss. And while all eyes tend to gravitate toward the 400 men and women in their crisp crimson and white uniforms, the band only has eyes for the four figures dressed in stylish gray suits and white gloves — the drum majors. Four strong, this year’s lineup consists of Jessica Palmer, Savannah Smith, Holly Kinsey and Kayla Sisco. “We call our drum majors the quarterbacks of our team,” said band director Ken Ozzello. “You’ll see some college bands where the directors will put on a jacket and hat and go out there and conduct, but that’s just not our style. Our style is to give responsibility to the student conductors.”
Gospel Fest to be held at UA’s Moody Music Hall
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Jan. 8
Gospel Fest 2016 is kicking off tomorrow. It will include Thomas Davis who is a Stillman Graduate. If you want to go, doors open at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Moody Music Building on the campus of The University of Alabama.
Gospel musician to perform at UA on Jan. 9
Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 8
Grammy-nominated gospel artist Byron Cage will headline Tuscaloosa’s third annual Gospel Fest concert on Sunday at Moody Music Building Concert Hall on the University of Alabama’s campus. Cage, a six-time Stellar Gospel Music Award winner, will one of several artists who will perform at Gospel Fest. Other artists are award-winning gospel singer Shirley Murdock, Thomas Davis Jr., Christa Yow, Valerie T. Smith, Red Washed and the winner of the talent showcase that takes place Saturday, Jan. 9.
UA and Clemson Library Deans make friendly wager on National Championship Game
WSFA-NBC (Montgomery) – Jan. 10
The Dean of Libraries at both The University of Alabama and at Clemson University are now involved in the game. If Clemson comes out on top, Alabama will send Dreamland Bar-b-que sauce. But, if the Tide rolls over the Tigers, Clemson is going to send Blue Cheese and dressing here.
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Jan. 8
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – Jan. 8
As polarization increases, comments viewed as racist by some resonate with other voters
Portland Press Herald – Jan. 10
As Joshua Rothman read Gov. Paul LePage’s statements about drug dealers impregnating “young white” girls Thursday night, the University of Alabama professor heard echoes of rhetoric and racial stereotypes all too common in American history. “The idea that black men are coming to take advantage of white women is something that goes back to slavery … and it is a dangerous one,” said Rothman, who specializes in slavery and racial history at a university where one of the pivotal moments in integration of schools in the South played out. While LePage sought to explain away the statement as a slip-up, not a racial statement, Rothman and other political observers say such incidents – whether by LePage, Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump or others – and the divergent public reaction to them are signs of how racial language has changed as American politics becomes more polarized.
Local college classes to resume next week
Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 8
Classes at the University of Alabama, the University of West Alabama and Stillman College resume next week. Stillman and UWA students return to class on Monday. Classes begin for the spring semester on Wednesday at UA.
Alabama’s Supreme Court is trying to block gay marriage, again
You Don’t Know Football – Jan. 8
But four months later, the U.S. Supreme Court finally issued its long-awaited order, ruling that same-sex marriage was legal in America. As The Christian Science Monitor’s Warren Richey reported at the time of the Obergefell ruling, that decision mandated that all 50 states must issue licenses to same-sex couples and recognize the legitimacy of same-sex marriages performed in any other state. Despite a ruling from the United States Supreme Court overturning bans on same-sex marriages, the windows at the marriage license counter are closed to all couples in Mobile County following an unexpected order from Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore on Wednesday. Moore’s order Wednesday was met with immediate skepticism and criticism from civil rights groups and legal experts … The US Supreme Court naturally overruled the state Supreme Court March injunction said University of Alabama School of Law professor Ronald Krotoszynski.
Empires (Like the U.S.) Fall When Corruption Becomes Rampant
LewRockwell.com – Jan. 9
By way of example, corruption was one of the main causes of the collapse of the Roman Empire … Former history professor at the University of Alabama Larry Clayton notes: The [Roman] republic evolved into an empire and the empire grew corrupt from its own tremendous power. There arose, like mushrooms after a long rain, self-indulgent vices driven by pride and power. An oft quoted observation noted: “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely” wrote the English essayist and historian Lord Acton in 1887. Long after the Roman Empire disappeared, other empires, notably the ones of France, England, and Spain began with the conquest and settlement of the New World. By the end of the nineteenth century, European nations had created economic, military and commercial empires across much of the globe.
Two best friends to twirl in National Championship Game
WJBF-ABC (Augusta, Ga.) – Jan. 10
Two best friends from Bardwell, South Caroline will be on the sideline in tomorrow’s national college football championship. Riley Ridgeway and Laura Burckhalter have been best friends for five years. They were majorettes together at Bardwell High School. Now, Riley twirls at The University of Alabama and Laura at Clemson. They’ll share the same stage tomorrow when their schools meet for the big game.
Million Dollar Band prepares for National Championship Game
WAAY-ABC (Huntsville) – Jan. 10
What could be more exciting than going to the national championship game for a college student? Well, how about getting there on a chartered 747. 430 members of The University of Alabama’s Million Dollar Band have been prating and performing, getting ready for Monday night’s halftime show.
Alabama Cheerleaders prepare for National Championship Game
KSAZ-Fox (Phoenix, Ariz.) – Jan. 10
While most of the attention has been on the players, those cheering them on are also getting ready to win a championship of their own. The Alabama Cheerleaders have been going non-stop since they arrived in Phoenix. They’ve done many events ahead of the championship game on Monday, but they have still made time to practice their own championship routine. This team has won four national cheerleading championships and they are hoping to make it five.
UA football team travels to Phoenix
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Jan. 8
Alabama’s 747 touched down at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix about 5:45 Central time. Nick and Terry Saban were the first to deplane. The arrival was presidential as local and state officials greeted the Sarans and the Crimson Tide.
WTAP (Parkersburg, WV) – Jan. 8
Phoenix Zoo tiger picks Alabama to win National Championship
KTVK (Phoenix, Ariz) – Jan. 8
Everyone is making their picks on who’s going to win the title, including those in the animal kingdom. Jai the tiger at the Phoenix Zoo abandoned his own species and declared The University of Alabama as the winner of Monday nights’s game.